What Are the Final Velocities After a Two-Dimensional Collision?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hdo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the final velocities of two objects after a two-dimensional collision. The first object has a mass of 6 kg and an initial velocity of 3 m/s, while the second object, also 6 kg, starts at rest. After the collision, the first object moves at a 40-degree angle to the left of its original path, while the second object moves to the right of the first's original path. The relevant equations for momentum conservation in both x and y directions are provided, confirming that the masses can be omitted due to their equality.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of momentum conservation principles
  • Familiarity with two-dimensional vector analysis
  • Knowledge of basic physics equations for collisions
  • Ability to perform trigonometric calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of momentum conservation equations in two dimensions
  • Learn about elastic vs. inelastic collisions and their implications
  • Explore vector decomposition techniques for collision analysis
  • Investigate real-world applications of collision physics in sports or vehicle dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics of collisions in two-dimensional space.

hdo
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
problem:
before - 1st object: m=6kg, v=3m/s
2nd object: m=6kg, v=0m/s
after - 1st object move off in a direction 40 degree to the left of its original path
2nd move to the right of the first's original path
find the speech of each object after the collision
equations:
x-direction: m1v1ix + m2v2ix = m1v1fx + m2v2fx
y-direction: m1v1iy + m2v2iy = m1v1fy + m2v2fy
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi hdo! Welcome to PF!: :smile:

(try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)
hdo said:
… 2nd move to the right of the first's original path

Do you mean at 90º?

ok, those are the correct equations … now put the numbers in …

what do you get? :smile:​

(btw, all the masses are the same, 6 kg, so you can leave them all out! :wink:)
 

Similar threads

Finding Final Velocity of Mass 1 After Collision
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School What will be the ball's velocity after a perfectly elastic collision?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Undergrad Find final velocities after elastic collision
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad What Happens to Kinetic Energy in Inelastic Collisions in Space?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Undergrad What are the velocities of two objects after they collide?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Does Normal force always HAVE to be perpendicular to plane ?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Undergrad What is the Resulting Velocity of Ball 3 in a 3-Body Elastic Collision?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate What are the Exact Velocities of Three Balls After an Elastic Collision?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Finding two objects velocity after an elastic collision
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Impulse imparted to A by B during collision
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K